Search Utah Divorce Records
Utah divorce records are public documents maintained by the District Court Clerk in each of the 29 counties and by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records and Statistics. County courts hold the complete case files including the petition for divorce, the answer, and the final decree of divorce. The state vital records office keeps divorce certificates dating back to 1978. You can search these records online, by mail, or in person at courthouses throughout Utah.
Utah Divorce Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Utah Divorce Records
Utah has two main sources for divorce records. The District Court Clerk in each county stores the full case files for every divorce granted in that jurisdiction. These files include the petition for divorce, the answer from the other spouse, any stipulated agreements, and the final decree of divorce signed by the judge. The court clerk in each county keeps these records and can supply copies. You can visit the courthouse in person or look up some case information through the Utah Court System website at utcourts.gov.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records and Statistics maintains divorce certificates statewide. A certified copy of the divorce record from the state confirms that a divorce took place and includes basic details: the names of both spouses, the date of the decree, and the county where it was entered. The Office of Vital Records and Statistics holds records for divorces from 1978 to the present. You can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person at their Salt Lake City office. Certified copies cost $25 in Utah.
Note: Divorce certificates from the Office of Vital Records and Statistics contain less detail than full court records from the District Court Clerk in Utah.
How to Search Divorce Records in Utah
Utah provides multiple ways to look up divorce records. Online access is the fastest option for most searches. You can search from home at any hour. In-person visits work best when you need certified copies or want to examine the complete case file. Both options are available to anyone in Utah.
The Utah Court System Case Search portal gives access to court records across many of the 29 counties in Utah. You can search by party name or case number to locate divorce cases. The system is free to search, and you can view case information including party names, filing dates, and case status. For copies of actual documents, you need to contact the county District Court Clerk or visit the courthouse. Go to utcourts.gov to begin your search in Utah.
To search divorce records through the court system, you need the following:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate date of the divorce filing
- County where the case was filed
You can also search in person at any District Court Clerk office in Utah. Go to the county where the divorce was filed. Staff can help you locate records and provide copies. Most clerk offices charge a per-page fee for copies, and certified copies cost more than plain ones. For divorce certificates from the state, submit your request to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records and Statistics, 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116. Rush processing is available for an additional fee in Utah.
Types of Divorce Records in Utah
Utah divorce records include several categories of documents. The divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. A judge signs this after the case is resolved. The decree states the marriage is dissolved and typically addresses property division, spousal support, and custody arrangements. This is the most thorough divorce record available in Utah. It comes from the District Court Clerk in the county where the case was heard.
The divorce certificate is a shorter document from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records and Statistics. A certificate verifies that a divorce took place but does not spell out the terms of the settlement. Many people need a certificate for purposes like changing their name, remarrying, or updating other legal documents in Utah. You can get a certificate online, by mail, or in person from the Office of Vital Records and Statistics in Salt Lake City.
Divorce records in Utah typically contain the following:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date and place of the marriage
- Date the petition for divorce was filed
- Date the divorce was finalized
- County and court where it was heard
- Grounds cited for the divorce
- Terms of property division if included
Court case files may also contain motions, affidavits, and other papers filed during the proceedings. These show the full history of the divorce case in Utah. You can get copies of any document in a case file from the District Court Clerk.
Utah Divorce Laws and Rules
Utah law governs the rules for obtaining a divorce. These laws determine how long the process takes and what records are generated. The Utah State Legislature has established specific rules for residency, grounds, property division, and support. You must follow these rules to file for divorce in Utah.
Under Utah Code § 30-3-1, the petitioner must have been an actual and bona fide resident of Utah and of the county where the action is filed for at least three months before filing. You file in the District Court in the county where either spouse resides.
Utah allows both no-fault and fault-based divorces. Under Utah Code § 30-3-1, no-fault divorce is available on the ground of irreconcilable differences. Fault grounds include impotency at the time of marriage, adultery, willful desertion for more than one year, willful neglect to provide the necessities of life, habitual drunkenness, conviction of a felony, cruel treatment to the extent of causing bodily injury or great mental distress, and incurable insanity. For divorces with or without fault, property division, spousal support, and child custody are addressed within the same case in Utah.
Utah law imposes a mandatory waiting period before the court can finalize a divorce. Under Utah Code § 30-3-18, the waiting period is 30 days from the date of filing if there are no minor children of the marriage. If there are minor children, the waiting period is 90 days. The court may waive the waiting period for good cause shown. The court may issue temporary orders for child custody, support, or use of marital property while the case is pending in Utah.
Utah is an equitable distribution state for property division. Under Utah Code § 30-3-5, the court divides marital property in a manner that is equitable and fair. The judge considers factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, the value of separate property, the economic circumstances of each party, and the tax consequences of the distribution. Utah courts divide marital assets based on what is fair and just, which does not necessarily mean an equal split.
Divorce Record Fees in Utah
Fees vary depending on what you need and where you obtain it in Utah. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records and Statistics charges $25 for a certified copy of a divorce certificate. Rush processing is available for an extra fee. Online orders can be placed through the VitalChek website.
District Courts charge their own fees for divorce cases and records in Utah. Filing a petition for divorce costs approximately $330 depending on the county. Getting copies of existing divorce records costs less. Most clerk offices charge per page for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones at any court in Utah.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford the filing fees in Utah. You can apply by completing a Motion to Waive Fees and a supporting affidavit. You must demonstrate financial hardship, such as receiving public assistance or having income below the federal poverty guidelines. The court will review your application and determine if you qualify for a fee waiver in Utah.
Note: Filing fees and copy fees can change, so contact the court or agency to confirm current costs in Utah.
How to Get Copies of Utah Divorce Records
You can get copies of divorce records in Utah through several channels. For divorce certificates from the Office of Vital Records and Statistics, you have three main options. First, order online through the VitalChek website, which is the fastest method. Second, mail your request to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records and Statistics, 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 with the names of both spouses, the date of the divorce, the county, and your payment. Third, visit the office in person in Salt Lake City where walk-in service is available during business hours in Utah.
For full divorce decrees and case files, go to the District Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was filed in Utah. You can request copies in person or call ahead to find out what you need. Some courts accept mail requests for copies. You will need to know the names of the parties or the case number. The clerk can search the records and provide copies for a fee in Utah.
Wait times vary by method and location in Utah. Online orders through VitalChek are typically processed within a few business days. Mail requests to the state take several weeks. Court record requests depend on the workload at that county's clerk office in Utah.
Legal Help for Divorce in Utah
Several organizations offer help with divorce cases in Utah. Utah Legal Services provides free legal assistance to people with low income. They handle family law cases including divorce across the state. Visit their website at utahlegalservices.org to find legal help resources and locate services in your area for divorce in Utah.
The Utah State Bar runs a lawyer referral service for people who need an attorney in Utah. Call (801) 531-9077 to get connected with a family law lawyer. They can match you with an attorney in your area who handles divorce cases in Utah.
The Utah Court System at utcourts.gov offers forms and instructions for people who want to file on their own. You can find step-by-step guides for handling your own divorce case in Utah. The site also has links to legal resources across the state. The court system provides all the official forms you need to file for divorce in Utah, including the petition, answer, and other required papers.
Are Divorce Records Public in Utah
Yes, divorce records are generally public in Utah. Under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), Utah Code § 63G-2, the public has the right to inspect government records. This applies to divorce records held by the courts. You do not have to be one of the parties in the case. The records are available to anyone who requests them in Utah.
Some restrictions apply to what you can see in divorce records in Utah. Certain details may be redacted from public copies. These include Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information about minor children. A party can also ask the court to seal specific documents in their divorce case. A judge may seal records if the person shows good cause. Sealed divorce records are uncommon in Utah.
Note: Divorce certificates from the Office of Vital Records and Statistics may have some access restrictions, but court records at the District Court Clerk offices are generally open to the public in Utah.
Browse Utah Divorce Records by County
Each county in Utah has its own District Court that keeps divorce records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for divorce records in that area.
Divorce Records in Major Utah Cities
Residents of major cities file for divorce at their county courthouse. Pick a city below to learn about divorce records in that area.